Dubai has been an important destination for many expatriates living in Saudi Arabia and other GCC for vacation and also for business. Expatriates having Saudi iqama (resident permit) were earlier eligible to get visa on arrival at the Dubai airport or at the border.

However, all this is now changing and the expatriates working in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other GCC countries will not be able to get visa on arrival in Dubai.

Many companies have received circulars from Emirates airlines informing that on arrival visa facility is no longer available for GCC residents. Those who wish to travel to U.A.E. need apply to apply online to get e-visa to travel to UAE. For more information on how to apply for visit visa for UAE, please see How to Apply for e-Visa for Dubai. See below correspondences received from Emirates Airlines. (Click to enlarge)

First Circular from Emirates Airlines

Second circular by Emirates Airlines – Amendment to first

However, finally we got official confirmation from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs in Dubai, who confirmed that residents of GCC countries including Saudi Arabia will have to apply for Visa online before coming to Dubai.

Below is the text of the press release by General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs in Dubai:

Visa for expatriates residing in a GCC countries will be only online

14/05/2015

Announcement on Dubai website

In order to facilitate the procedures and to speed up the completion of the transactions and in order to offer best services for public, The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs in Dubai is offering for expatriate residents of Gulf Cooperation Council Countries wishing to visit Dubai, a service that allow them to apply for entry permits online before arriving in the emirate in order to avoid standing in bank queues to pay the fees for visa and to avid queues that could happen when applying for visa at the airport.

In this regard, His Excellency Major General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai), said that the residency department in Dubai is working to facilitate the procedures for all visitors and residents to the country and also to make their visit to Dubai as beautiful and enjoyable experience and for that reason the GDRFA-Dubai introduced the visa on-line service for expatriates residing in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and those accompanying GCC citizens of the categories of domestic helpers and others where they can apply for a visit visa and pay the fees online and no need for them to stop at the airport to apply for the visa or to pay for the fees.

Major General Al Marri said: “We encourage everyone coming from GCC countries to apply for the entry permits through the On-Line service.”

In his turn Lt. Colonel Talal Al Shanqeeti, Assistant of the Director General for air-ports Affairs at the GDRFA-Dubai said that the service is also available so far, online and at the airport upon arrival, but by the beginning of the month of October this year(2015) it will be only online and there will be no visa application at the airport upon arrival for this category.

Lt. Colonel Talal Al Shanqeeti said that the GDRFA-Dubai will distribute brochures in Arabic and English to all visitors to Dubai from any of the GCC countries in order to raise their awareness on how to use the new service, as well as the employees of the passports control counters at the airport will conduct a questionnaire on the new service to find out if people are aware of this services and if they are aware on how to use it.

Lt. Colonel Talal Al Shanqeeti called on the public to apply for the visa online via the website of the GDRFA-Dubai.”

—————End of Press Release—————

Many companies have received circulars from Emirates airlines informing that on arrival visa facility is no longer available for GCC residents. Those who wish to travel to U.A.E. need apply to apply online to get e-visa to travel to UAE. For more information on how to apply for visit visa for UAE, please see How to Apply for e-Visa for Dubai Online.

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What about the entry by road from Saudi Arabia to UAE? and there is no option to select the place of entry as by road (Ghewifat border)

Arsalan

You can enter through any channel if you have UAE valid visa.

Mark

hello Arsalan,

Where I can get UAE Visa if i will travel by road (using SAPTCO Bus)…

Is there imigration office at the boarder of Saudi and UAE to have on arrival visa?

I am planning to visit Abu Dhabi this coming semptember…

Chacktaylor

i will exit in saudi arabia, is there any chance for me to enter in dubai without copies of my resedency permit?

Arsalan

No, Its clearly written on Webpage without valid Iqama your are not eligible for entry

gertor

what about a photo copy of my iquama with a hospital stamp the immigration will allow me?i will be travelling with my original passport,visa online but only a photo copy of my iqama with hospital stamp..do the immigration will allow me?

Arsalan

yes you can, but if you have stamp of same employer whom name written on your iqama.

Rodel Galano

I am filipino here in Riyadh as consultant and my visa here is multiple visa. I want to visit Dubai for 3 days only can i get visa on arrival in Dubai airport? because i want to visit my cousin and its holiday.

Shahzad Nadeem

Hi,
You can get visa on arrival in dubai if you produce original iqama to the UAE immigration.

Rodel Galano

Sir, How about I dont have Iqama here in Riyadh because we are only holding Government State Visit Visa multiple.

H Colak

how i extend my visa, stell i am not traveling , i take visa by online but no time to go dubai i need to extend

H Colak

I have up to 23 jul 2015 end of my visa

H Colak

i need to extend atleast one month more

subash

Can anyone travel through sharjah airport instead of Dubai to avoid the online formalities?.
I have travellled to Sharjah during the month of may and the person who issued me the “on arrival visa” told me that “it is not possible from dubai to get an on arrival visa now”. so, does this means that a person can travel to Sharjah instead of Dubai to avoid the online formalities.

anj

I want to visit my bro in dubai can he get a visa for me and send it on my email?

Fareed

Of course!

Mohammed Rafiuddin

How do you know they will be giving visa on arrival? Have you visited them recently?

Hadi Baig

i confirmed with emirates .visa is must for GCC resident .

Mark

Hi Fareed! I am greatful for your help.. 🙂

When was the last time you visited UAE? Coz i am confuse now about the process, someine told me that I need to get visit visa online and someone told me that i can get visa on arrival on boarder of KSA/UAE.

The UAE Embassy is now answering my phone call.

Hadi Baig

Hello Guys i confirmed with saptco & emirates offices .it is mandatory to take visa for dubai.

there is no chance of on arrival .because last week 1 Philippine traveled by saptco they refused on dubai border .so please do not travel without visa .
if anyone travelling without visa & get a visa on arrival please update us
Thanks

ameen

Dear Hadi

Bro did you asked direct with saptco or information you got from other??

Hadi Baig

I asked them directly and they are not giving ticket without visa.

ameen

Thanks bro,

But one of my friend asked air arabia they said he can get visa on arrival on airport so he booked the ticket and may be flying tomorrow??
I dont understand what decision we can take.
Very much depressed and confused

Hadi Baig

Well ,I confirmed with Emirates office they also said need visa.
1 person who travelled by saptco bus last week they didnot give on arrival because he don’t have visa.

ameen

Really confused bro…
Wat about you have you applied and got evisa??
Even last week one friend of my friend went and also he got visa on arrival but i dont know how he went by air/car??

Mark

Hello Ameen,

Did you ask your friend about what he use to travel (by air/car) coz im plannimg to go UAE this coming semptember using SAPTCO bus.

ameen

Hi mark
Even i am in uae and also came by car and got visa on arrival… But some say wont allow u to board without prior visa….

Mark

What is your profession in your iqama? Coz there is only a list of professions that allowed to travel by road.

ameen

My profession is mechanical engineer and my father is mechanical engineering technician… They allowed both of us

Mark

Tha k you for your reply my friend… 🙂

When is the last time you visited UAE?

Mark

Hi Ammen! I am greatful for your help.. 🙂

When was the last time you visited UAE? Coz i am confuse now about the process, someine told me that I need to get visit visa online and someone told me that i can get visa on arrival on boarder of KSA/UAE.

The UAE Embassy is now answering my phone call.

ameen

Dear Mark,

I went on july 17th and returned just yesterday and also i got visa on arrival.

Mark

Hi ameen,

What did you use when you go to UAE? By air or road?

ameen

By car

Mark

Hello Hadi,

I am planning to visit Abu Dhabi using SAPTCO Bus this coming september, my profession in my Iqama was “quantity Surveyor”. It is possible for me to have a visa on arrival by road in the boarder of KSA and UAE?

Hadi Baig

Hi Mark,
The visa rules has been changed for dubai,You should apply online through https://www.ednrd.ae/ .They are not issuing on arrival visa .hardly it will take 2-3 days for process.
When you apply online if your profession is available in options then you will get a visa.

Mark

Hi Hadi,

Can you give me your email or mobile number so that we can talk privately, coz i am confuse and lots of question in my mind.. if it’s ok with you. 🙂

Mark

Thank you for the link that you gave to me currently I am still not applyig for visit visa coz I am confuse on this things.

1. My profession was “quantity surveyor” and there is no quantity surveyor in the list. Should i choose “surveyor” only?

2. What I will put on the sponsor box?

Thank you for helpig me! 🙂

robz

hello guys
i am planning to go to uae on hujj holidays ( sep 18 to sep 28). my iqama expiry date is on dec 5. i saw iqama validity should be 3 months from entering date.can i get uae visa by online. or should i renew my iqama before that. ?

Taher Talib

Hi
U need to renew it or the application will be rejected.

joan

hi robz, what did u do then? u renewed ur iqama? i have same case with u but still thinking if i should renew the iqama?

just wanna share and info for the help of others here, im travelling after 2 days and today is jumma so was worried how i will get visa on arrival in duabi airport or border as i came to know this info today only that visa on arrival is cancelled for people from GCC..

go to this website and find out if u need visa or no.. i confirmed from emirates helpline as well.

ok what info i got after entering my details is that as im doctor so i can get visa on arrival still.. please read the info below… for pakistani MRP

hope it helps most…remember in prayers…

Visa & Passport Information

Passport
Passport required.

Document Validity:

Passports and/or passport replacing documents of visitors must be valid for:
– at least 3 months from the date of entry, for visits of up to 3 months; or
– at least 6 months from the date of entry, for visits exceeding 3 months.

Admission and Transit Restrictions:

Admission refused to holders of non-machine readable passports issued to nationals of Pakistan.

Exempt are holders of hand-written passports issued to nationals of Pakistan with a visa issued prior to 23 August 2010.

Additional Information:

Passengers with dual nationality must present the same passport at immigration upon entry and departure.

Minors:

Passport not required for minors registered in their parent/guardian passport, provided it contains photos of the minors and traveling with the passport holder.

Visa
Visa required.

Visa Issuance:

Holders of normal passports and a copy of pre-arranged visa can obtain a visa on arrival, provided holding a passport valid at least 6 months on arrival. Pre-arranged visa must be deposited by the sponsor at the Immigration Authorities and can be issued for 96 hours, 30 or 90 days.Not applicable to holders of hand-written passports issued to nationals of Pakistan when holding (pre-arranged) visas issued on/after 23 August 2010.

Holders of a Residence Permit issued by Saudi Arabia can obtain a visa on arrival for a max. stay of 30 days, provided:
– residing in a GCC country for at least 1 year; and
– a Resident Permit is valid for at least 3 months on arrival; and
– holding confirmed return tickets. Fee: AED 185.-.

This applies to nationals of Pakistan, if profession stated in the passport is a businessman, director, doctor, engineer or accountant.

Alien Residents of Saudi Arabia arriving at Abu Dhabi (AUH) are required to hold their original residence document (IQAMA). No copies are permitted.

E-visas can be obtained via http://www.ednrd.ae . Airlines can check the validity of an e-visa at the same site by clicking on “Query DNRD APP”.

Additional Information:

All visitors must:
– hold documents for their next destination;
– have sponsor in the UAE to cover their stay.

Valid visas in expired passports are accepted provided accompanied by new passport.

Minors:

Separate visa not required for minors registered in their parent/guardian passport, provided their name is endorsed in the visa of the parent/guardian.

Warning:

Visitors not holding return/onward tickets could be refused entry.

Nadeem Khan

hello guys
i am planning to go to UAE on hujj holidays ( sep 18 to sep 28-2015) as per iqama i an general accountant
please advise can i get on arrival visa by road with my family

Mosa

Dear All,
I am suffering a lot due to this nonsense ONLINE E_SERVICE of UAE
When I am going thru online visa permit & entered all my information than next page in family member section coming only DAUGHTER or SON. Where is Wife ?
The stupid developer may be born thru hatchery not mother so he did not entered Wife / Husband option.
Plz anybody can guide me to apply for my wife + 1 daughter of 1 years

asif

hi brother and sis
any one tell me from Saudi Arabia to Dubai by road on arrival visit visa available or we apply online before leave saudi arabia

Umair

Could someone confirm whether on arrival visa is still exist? I am traveling this week via Emirates Airlines and my profession is Marketing Specialist.

Asif Khan

Just called up GDRFA on +97143139911,one of the costumer representatives
have confirmed that on arrival visa facilities have been reinstate on the Dubai
airport only from 3 weeks back.

Ershad Rehman

Hello all,
I went to Dubai on 28th Dec 2015, they provided me with on arrival Visa. I was reading in some blogs that on arrival will be closed on 31st Dec 2015, has anyone traveled after that and got on arrival Visa? Thanks

abbas

can i send my family to dubai without me .my iqama engineer still validity 5 months

Akbar Khan

my online visa is rejected for no reasons. that means my visa is cancelled if no how to cancel permanently.
please guide me

Omair

Hi. I am planning to visit Dubai by road from KSA. I will apply for my Visa and my dependents visa online. My mother is also here on multiple entry Visa. I want to take her along. I will also get her Dubai Visa online. My question is can she go to Dubai by road with me and my dependent family?

Iqbal Imam

Omair…I too have the same concern….did you plan the trip…what was the process